The Arizona Cardinals are looking to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season in Week 8 when they visit the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. While they're currently looked at as the favorite in this NFC West head-to-head, they'll need to prepare for it without veteran wide receiver A.J. Green. On Wednesday, the team placed the 33-year-old on the reserve/COVID-19 list along with tight end Demetrius Harris.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has noted in the past that his team is 100% vaccinated. If that's the case and Green is, in fact, vaccinated, he would need two negative COVID-19 tests taken 24 hours apart for him to come off the reserve list, so there is still a chance that he suits up Sunday in Santa Clara.
If Green is unable to clear protocols before their Week 9 game kicks off, the Cardinals do have solid depth to cushion his loss. Arizona boasts DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore, Andy Isabella and Antoine Wesley at receiver on its active roster. The team also has tight end Zach Ertz, who contributes in the passing game.
While there are a number of pass-catchers on the Cardinals roster, quarterback Kyler Murray did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury. His status for Week 9 could also be in doubt, which would limit this high-powered offense as it steps into a matchup with the Niners.
